JUMP TO:
- Start-Sit Week 16 QB
- Start-Sit Week 16 RB
- Start-Sit Week 16 WR
- Start-Sit Week 16 TE
- Start-Sit Week 16 D/ST
Welcome to the Week 16 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from AllSportsPeople.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of daily fantasy sports games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical Week 16 game with tips on starts and sits this week.
➕ UPGRADE YOUR TOOLS FOR THE PLAYOFFS: Sign up for Yahoo Fantasy Plus
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 16 QBs
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at CLE)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (at BAL)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. NE)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at DAL)
- Jared Goff, Lions (vs. PIT)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (at IND)
Strong Week 16 QB starts
8. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. JAX): He's on another late heater and you need to pass a ton well to beat the Jaguars' defense.
9. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. LV): He should rip apart a defense that isn't doing much of anything and giving up big pass plays.
10. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at CAR): He's got his full wide receiver corps and locked in downfield again.
11. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (at DET): He's reviving his career at the right time and the Lions' secondary is in shambles.
12. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. MIN): The matchup is much tougher passing-wise but he'll get the job with his usual dual-threat compilation.
13. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (vs. ATL): The Texans weren't an issue for garbage passing and scoring and he can rip the Falcons with volume, too.
14. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (at NYG): He's suddenly responding with big games with much better matchups and he gets yet another.
DFS QB Week 16 pick
- Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (at DET, $5,000 on DraftKings, $6,900 on FanDuel): Goff is also a strong option on the other side but there's better chance for 3X return here with Rodgers throwing often to keep up.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 16 QB plays
15. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at SEA): The matchup is tough and not having Davante Adams limits his ceiling, too.
16. Joe Burrow, Bengals (at MIA): Do you really want to trust him on the road after that clunker?
17. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. LAC): You can't feel it with him going in the wrong direction hard and not compensating with TDs.
18. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at DEN): He's not playing the Jets' lifeless pass defense week but rather a 180 from it.
19. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. LAR): He's not doing enough TD passing to get it done.
20. Jordan Love, Packers (at CHI): This feels like an ugly old-school NFC North game.
21. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. GB): This feels like an ugly old-school NFC North game.
🗒️ BEST PICKUPS: Week 16 Waiver Wire
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 16 RBs
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. CIN)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at ARI)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at IND)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. PIT)
- James Cook, Bills (at CLE)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at WAS)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (at CHI)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. SF)
- TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at BAL)
- Chase Brown, Bengals (at MIA)
- Travis Etienne Jr. Jaguars (at DEN)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. NE)
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at DAL)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (at SEA)
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. LAC)
- D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. GB)
- Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. TB)
- Woody Marks, Texans (vs. LV)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at NO)
- Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at DET)
Strong RB Week 16 plays
22. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. BUF): Try this one more time against an atrocious run defense.
23. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (at TEN): He should be busy trying to close out the Titans in the second half.
24. Audric Estime, Saints (vs. NYJ): With Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara hurting, he can come through as the next man in a great matchup.
25. David Montgomery, Lions (vs. PIT): The Steelers can give up good power running stats.
26 Jordan Mason, Vikings (at NYG): He should be good for like 60 rushing yards and a TD.
27. Michael Carter, Cardinals (vs. ATL): He's trending to having the lead duties against the Falcons giving defense.
28. RJ Harvey, Broncos (vs. JAX): He's more of a volume-based play with hopes for him scoring and receiving.
DFS RB Week 16 Picks
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at CAR, $6,700 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): Bucky was a disappointment in the loss to the Falcons but he will be more involved to take advantage of another kweak NFC South run defense in the Panthers. He should rebound with a nice scrimmage day and a TD.
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at DAL) $5,800 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): Hampton didn't come alive in Kansas City but facing the Dallas' mess of a defense should allow him to get back on track with the kind of big game he had before getting hurt. This should be a get-well game for the entire Chargers' offense.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 16 plays
29. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at HOU): Too bad this guy has faded to Silver and Black on the wrong team.
30. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. KC): This is a tough spot at home after the Chiefs just shut down the Chargers.
31. Kenneth Walker III and 32. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. LAR): For a run-heavy team they don't a lot together and this matchup is brutal at home.
33. Kyle Monangai, Bears (vs. GB): Swift is still the clear lead here and the Packers
34. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (vs. MIN): This isn't the best spot and the hot hand might be Devin Singletary again, who knows?
35. Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. PHI): "Bill" delivered because of no Chris Rodriguez Jr. But you can't trust him against the team that just shut down Jeanty with low volume.
36. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (at DET): He won't be gaining too well on this run defense on the road.
👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 16 WRs
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. PIT)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. LAR)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at SEA)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. LV)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at MIA)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at WAS)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. LAC)
- Michael Wilson, Cardinals (vs. ATL)
- Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. PIT)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. CIN)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (at DET)
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at TEN)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at DAL)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. JAX)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NYJ)
- Jauan Jennings, 49ers (at IND)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (if he plays, at MIA)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. NE)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. TB)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Jayden Reed, Packers (at CHI)
- Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (at DEN) J
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at NYG)
- Stefon Diggs, Patriots (at BAL)
Strong WR Week 16 starts
27. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. SF): Pittman should lock in more with Philip Rivers against a depleted secondary.
28. Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at PHI): He should be busy with volume from Marcus Mariota again.
29. Luther Burden III and 30. D.J. Moore, Bears (vs. GB): With Rome Odunze out, they've proved to be both viable as the top two targets.
31. Troy Franklin, Broncos (vs. JAX): He's locked in as a key No. 2 for Nix.
32. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): He is getting some key looks every week again in this sudden crowd behine Evans.
33. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (if he plays, at DAL): The Cowboys' secondary stinks and gives up big plays.
34. Khalil Shakir, Bills (at CLE): The Browns were destroyed in the slot last week.
35. Adonai Mitchell, Jets (at NO): He's the best target for Brady Cook and should come through against a beatable secondary with enough targets.
DFS WR Week 16 picks
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at TEN, $7,400 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): He can still bring it in this smash spot with Gardner Minshew dealing because he's a better red-zone-friendly version of Jennings.
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (at DET, $5,400 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): Metcalf is on fire with Rodgers and the Lions' don't have the healthy corners to slow him down.
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. LV, $7,500 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Collins is dominating everyone again downfield late in the season and the Raiders will definitely oblige.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 16 WR plays
36. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. LAC): He's making a big-play fade fast and the Chargers won't help.
37. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at DEN): It's pretty Surtain he will be shut down.
38. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. MIN): Not feeling it in a much tougher spot for wide receivers than last week.
39. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at NYG): The matchup is great but the targets aren't there even for Jefferson, whom we're still playing and hoping for big things.
40. Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (at IND): He got hurt again and this is another big Jennings and Kittle game.
41. Alec Pierce, Colts (vs. SF): You can't go here anymore with Rivers' dinking and dunking.
42. Jayden Higgins, Texans (vs. LV): They won't need him again with Collins ripping off a monster game.
43. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. CAR): He's gotten lost in a veteran crowd in a hurry.
44. Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. MIN): Here's to him and Robinson falling down hard to earth for Dart.
↕️ Fantasy Rankings for Week 16: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | Flex Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 16 TEs
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. ATL)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at IND)
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (at HOU)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at ARI)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. LAC)
- Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (at DAL)
Stronger Week 16 TE starts
8. Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. SF): Here's really hoping it is more of the Warren-Pittman show for Rivers based on what's open in coverage on Monday night.
9. Colby Parkinson, Rams (at SEA): He finally deserves mention here as a steadier score of late and he can fill in well for Adams through the red zone for his former team.
10. Darren Waller, Dolphins (vs. CIN): Here's counting on Mike McDaniel realizing he's in a smash spot through scoring position.
11. Theo Johnson, Giants (at MIN): He's looking the most reliable with Dart ever week.
12. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. NYG): You can burn the Giants well with this position and McCarthy has been favoring him most of late.
13. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at WAS): It's the wide receivers' turn to go off this week.
14. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (at DEN): This is a stretch in a defensive-minded game with Lawrence cooling big time.
DFS TE Week 16 pick
- Darren Waller, Dolphins (vs. CIN, $3,500 on DraftKings, $5,500 on FanDuel): Waller is almost guaranteed to score in this game and should also add about 5 catches for 60 yards to come through on easy return.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 16 starts
15. Mark Andrews and 16. Isaiah Likely, Ravens (vs. NE): It's not likely you want to go with this split vs. Patriots after last week's forgettable game.
16. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at CLE): The Browns are tough on tight ends and there's the sudden Dawson Knox factor.
17. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. LV): He won't be needed much in a game for Collins and the rushing attack.
18. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (vs. BUF): The Bills are nasty on tight ends and don't allow much field-stretching.
19. Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. JAX): He's not in a bad spot at all but the wide receivers are getting more of the Bo love.
20. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. GB): He's not in a bad spot at all but the wide receivers are getting more of the Caleb love.
.🧰 NEW - FANTASY TOOLS: NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts | Fantasy Injury Reports
Fantasy Football Week 16: Defense/special teams best starts
- Houston Texans (vs. LV)
- Buffalo Bills (at CLE)
- Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
- New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at TEN)
- Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
- Denver Broncos (vs. JAX)
- Los Angeles Chargers (at DAL)
- Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (at DEN)
- Dallas Cowboys (vs. LAC)
- New England Patriots (at BAL)
- Detroit Lions (vs. PIT)
DFS Week 16 D/ST pick
- New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ, $3,400 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel): The Saints have been more on point of late with the offense coming to life to help and the Jets will be giving for sacks and takeaways.
🎙️LISTEN: Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly fantasy football analysis five days a week by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.